Tips for Selling a Car Online

Tips for Selling a Car Online
In today’s world, we’re doing more things online than ever before. That includes selling your car! Thanks to innovative platforms like AcceleRide®, you can lock in a fair deal from anywhere. Our online car-selling tool makes this process more convenient than ever.
If you’re looking to make this process even easier, check our list of tips for selling a car online and get started. We’ll show you the ins and outs of getting your car ready for the sale, handling the sale itself, and every other important bit of info you’ll need.
Whether you’re looking to move on from your trusted set of wheels toward a new ride or have a family inheritance you need to offload, we have you covered. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions; we’re happy to help.
Tip #1: Get Your Paperwork Together
Whether your car is only a few years old or fits under the “family heirloom” category, it’s a smart idea to make sure its paperwork is up to date. This includes the vehicle’s title, which verifies that you’re the legal owner.
You also should have up-to-date documentation that proves the vehicle is currently registered in your home state and is fully insured.
Additional paperwork you might consider having on hand includes warranty documentation, a vehicle history report, and any loan information in case the vehicle isn’t paid off.
Bonus Tip: Gather Your Service Records
An important part of your vehicle’s paperwork is any records of service performed on it. This includes maintenance and upkeep, repairs, diagnostics, and anything else related to work performed on your ride.
Why is this important? It gives a more detailed look at your car’s history, adding more information to the vehicle history report. Knowing more about a car and its past will make potential buyers more confident in their decision. You would want to learn as much as you could about a used car before buying, and this is your way of doing that for the next driver!
Tip #2: Schedule an Inspection
For the most accurate quote, make a point to have your car fully inspected by a certified technician. Not only will this help you avoid any surprises during the official appraisal, but it will also make sure you’re presenting the best version of your vehicle to the buyer.
A typical vehicle inspection covers the following areas:
  • Body and chassis condition
  • Windows and exterior lights
  • Tires and braking system
  • Engine and transmission
  • Cabin condition and interior instruments
Once you have the results of this inspection in hand, you can continue with your sale process!
Bonus Tip: Have Maintenance Performed Before Selling
Along with the complete inspection of your car, it is also smart to have routine upkeep performed close to the time of your sale. Every car needs maintenance, including oil changes, tire rotations, wheel alignments, and more to stay in great shape. It’s a part of vehicle ownership that keeps a car ready for more travel.
By having these maintenance services completed soon before your car’s sale, it saves the next owner time and also lets them start driving confidently since they’ll be able to put the next maintenance visit on the back burner. This will get make your car more valued and get more eyes on it.
Tip #3: Make it Camera Ready

Tip #3: Make it Camera Ready

Selling a car online requires you to have high-quality and up-to-date photos of your vehicle. While minor scratches and dings will all be revealed during the in-person appraisal, you should still do your best to present the most accurate representation of your vehicle.
When prepping your car for its close-up, remove all personal items from both the cabin and the cargo area. You also should remove any non-permanent features, like car magnets and decals.
It also doesn’t hurt to take a quick ride through the car wash and hit up the vacuum on your way out. If necessary, shampoo your cabin’s cloth upholstery, including the floor mats, to remove any stains.
When taking pictures, use a high-quality digital camera or smartphone. Do not use any filters or artificially alter the images. Take pictures of the exterior, including the tires. Next, take a few shots of the front and rear cabin areas. Finally, turn on the engine and take a clear picture of the steering wheel and instrument panel.
Bonus Tip: Take Your Car to a Detailer
Car detailers specialize in deep cleaning your vehicle. They focus on both the interior and exterior to give your ride that like-new sheen. That professional-grade appeal will help make your pictures and in-person appraisal go even more smoothly.
Using concentrated cleaners and other products, a detailer will overhaul the car’s appearance and make it more visually appealing. By drawing the eye of potential buyers, you will get more attention drawn to your car, making for a more competitive sale.
Bonus Tip: Take Your Car to a Detailer
Tip #4: Use AcceleRide® to Sell Your Car Online
With AcceleRide®, you can save valuable time and receive an accurate quote without leaving home. Upload your vehicle’s information to our site to get a firm offer within 30 minutes! After all your work preparing your car, we’ll be happy to make the remainder of the process even easier for you.
Once you accept our offer, we’ll reach out to schedule an in-person appraisal and transfer the title. By the end, you’ll walk away with a check in hand. This fast and easy process will have you on your way with a great deal for your car.
Wondering what your next move should be? We have a massive inventory of vehicles for sale online. You can see a huge variety of cars, trucks, and SUVs and find your next favorite set of wheels. We’re happy to be your resource for easy and convenient car selling and buying.
To take the next step, follow the instructions on our easy-to-use site. We’re here to help guide you at each step of the way so that you can start your next adventure. Start the process of selling your car online today!